Chennai, August 29 (BPNS)

The Tamil Nadu government, department of fisheries will be establishing an integrated fisheries college-cum-research centre at Tuticorin to provide scientific training to fishermen to improve their skill set and to increase their revenue. An amount of Rs 3.2 crores is allotted for the initial expenditure for this project. A statement from the office of the minister for fisheries, fishermen welfare and animal husbandry on Sunday said.

The statement said that the government would construct 31 fish landing centres across the coastal districts of the state at an estimated cost of Rs 359 crores. Of these 11 fish landing centres would come up at Tuticorin at a cost of Rs 109 crores. Tuticorin incidentally is the home district of the state fisheries minister, Anitha. R. Radhakrishnan.

6 fish landing centres would come up Cuddalore, 7 at Chengalpet, Kanyakumari(3), Myladuthurai (2) and Thanjavur (1), the statement said.

The fishing harbour at Tuticorin will be disilted and deepened at a cost of Rs 5 crore. The statement said that this was for smooth entry of fishing boats to the harbour.

The government will also strive for the establishment of a National Commission for Fishermen Welfare for safeguarding the welfare of fishermen, both marine and inland.

The statement said that the government would establish an advanced multi speciality hospital and research centre for pets at an estimated cost of Rs 7.99 crore. The hospital and research centre would come up at Nandanam, Chennai. The government would support the  Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science university to undertake research for the betterment of livestock, poultry and food sector in the state.

The government would establish an international trade centre for Ornamental fishes at Kolathur near Chennai at a cost of Rs 50 crore, the statement from the Office of the Minister for Fisheries said.